A proposal to allow concealed handguns in Arkansas' houses of worship is dividing religious leaders on whether easing the firearm rules would offer more protection to congregants or disrupt the sanctuary that they try to offer every week.

The Arkansas Senate plans next week to vote on a bill that would allow churches and other religious institutions to decide whether to allow concealed handguns.

The National Rifle Association says Arkansas is one of 10 states with a concealed handgun law that prohibits the firearms in places of worship.

Past efforts to remove that prohibition have failed, but gun-rights advocates believe they're well poised to pass the measure now that Republicans control the Legislature. Gov. Mike Beebe, a Democrat, has indicated he'll likely sign the measure if it reaches his desk.

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SEX OFFENDERS-ARKANSAS

The Arkansas Senate has unanimously approved legislation that would prohibit sex offenders from swimming areas or children's playgrounds located within a state park.

By a 35-0 vote, the Senate on Thursday backed the measure by Republican Sen. Missy Irvin of Mountain View that would bar Level 3 and 4 sex offenders from being at swimming areas or playgrounds within a state park. The measure would make a violation of that restriction a Class D Felony.

Irvin has said the legislation expands a 2011 law that barred sex offenders from city-owned pool or water park.

Irvin's proposal now heads to the House Judiciary Committee.

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ARKANSAS-COURT ASSISTANTS

The Arkansas Senate has approved transferring $150,000 from other parts of the budget to continue paying the salaries of 122 trial court assistants over the next two months as lawmakers try to find a longer-term funding solution.

By a 31-0 vote, the Senate on Thursday approved transferring $100,000 from the unobligated portion of the County Juror Reimbursement Fund and $50,000 in unobligated money from the Municipal Court Judge and Municipal Court Education Fund into the Administration of Justice Fund. The measure now heads to the House for a vote.

The proposal would keep the court assistants funded for 60 days while lawmakers try to find a permanent solution to the Administration of Justice Fund's shortfall. The fund, which is financed by court costs and fees, has been dwindling for years.

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ARKANSAS GOVERNOR-APPOINTMENTS

Gov. Mike Beebe has tapped a fifth-generation cattle rancher to head the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission.

The governor's office announced Thursday that Beebe had named 46-year-old Preston Scroggin of Vilonia as director of the livestock commission.

Beebe also picked 56-year-old Ricky Belk of Alma to lead the Arkansas Labor Department.

Scroggin will take over the commission after the previous director, Steve Bryles, died in December. Belk replaces James Salkeld, who retired earlier this month.

The governor also appointed Shelia Vaught of Little Rock to the University of Central Arkansas Board of Trustees.

Beebe reappointed Ron Rhodes of Cherokee Village to the Arkansas State University Board of Trustees and Leigh Whiteside of Russellville to the Arkansas Tech University Board of Trustees.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:

"It's a sad commentary on our society, I feel, to even think that that's something I have to consider and yet when I see what's happening in our society I can't help but consider it may be a necessity," said Rep. Hank Wilkins, D-Pine Bluff, a past opponent of measures allowing concealed handguns in churches who now says he's open to a similar proposal pending in the Senate. Wilkins is also a Methodist pastor.